What a revealing month for Empties April was! With the rather sudden reduction in the volume of what I went through, it's pretty obvious that I use quite a lot of products for presenting myself to the outside world, and working from home combined with only venturing to the shops one day per week sure made a significant difference. I also decided to give my hair a break from any major colouring attempts and bought half a dozen newsboy caps instead lol. Still, there's a couple of interesting skincare items in this lot, so on with the reviews ♥...
Body
Black Chicken Remedies Axilla Deodorant Paste (15g, RRP $7.95)
Rated this #3 in my Top 6 Aluminium-free Deodorants (review HERE), and the only reason it won 3rd prize is because I have to use my fingers to apply it. Other than that little fussy-folly of mine, this stuff is legendary ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
If they made it in a stick form, you betcha ♥♥♥...
KOi Relaxing Body Wash - Jasmine & Sandalwood (500ml, RRP $8)
Beautifully fragranced, natural ingredients, great price, SLS & cruelty-free - a truly lovely body wash available from supermarkets, but just not quite enough hydrating power to meet my new baseline requirements ♥♥...
Repurchase?
Maybe next Summer ♥♥...
Schmidt's Bergamot + Lime Natural Deodorant (75g, RRP $13.99)
Schmidt's deodorants are my current #1 in the aluminium-free range, and I'm crazy about the Charcoal & Magnesium, Cedarwood & Juniper & Lavender & Sage varieties, but not this one. It works brilliantly and has a lovely zesty fragrance, but the little lumps in it (I think it's baking soda) are way too hard and scratchy - so much so I found this quite painful to apply. I bought it on special at Priceline so it may have been old stock and dried out, but I won't get it again just in case that's the way it is - it's just too harsh for my pits...
Repurchase?
No...
Regulars
Reach Dentotape (20m, RRP $2.99)
White Glo Charcoal Total Mouth Detox Whitening Mouthwash (500ml, RRP $6.99)
Face
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (50ml, RRP $205)
Liar Wrinkle Cheater Eye Roller Serum (12ml, RRP $39.95)
One of the ritzy-ditzy products in the 2019 lookfantastic Advent Calendar, and one I was super excited to try, especially given the rave reviews and hefty price tag. Well now, I'm a little puzzled as I really didn't find it fabulous at all. Mind you I only used it at night. On the plus side, it's a lovely textured cream, very light, and the tiniest amount spreads so easily and absorbs well, but I didn't find it the least bit special - there were no obvious improvements in my fine lines, moisture levels or elasticity. The fragrance was disappointingly bleah - like an old-fashioned el-cheapo cold-cream, but not even as pleasant as that. Marketed as "a revolutionary anti-aging product", sorry folks it didn't work for me...
Repurchase?
No way...
Indeed Labs Snoxin Facial Line & Wrinkle Fighting Serum (30ml, RRP ?)
This has been in my stockpile drawer for longer than I can remember (like maybe 2 years), and I probably shouldn't review it at all as it's no longer for sale (there is a new version Snoxin II). But the seal was intact so I decided not to toss it. Actually, a lovely and amazingly slippery serum which left my skin feeling so silky smooth, but there were no obvious improvements. The box said "4 x better than $500+ serums" - maybe mine was old and had lost its potency, but I can't discount how fabulous it made my skin feel, and would definitely try the new version ♥♥...
Repurchase?
Snoxin II, yes ♥♥...
This came in the July 2019 Bellabox, and because it has a metal roller ball, I put it away till the warmer weather as it felt so cold on my face. Silly me - it's SO good! The best roller-ball eye serum I've ever tried - I don't know how or why, but unlike every other eye cream with this kind of dispenser, the Liar ball never EVER drags on my delicate skin. On first application, there is an immediate tightening sensation, and my eyes look refreshed and feel perfectly hydrated. No improvement to my eye bags, but my crow's feet are less deep and the under-eye area especially has lost that crepey withered look - 100% natural ingredients too ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Ooh yes ♥♥♥...
L'Oreal Pure Clay Exfoliating Scrub (150ml, RRP $14.99)
Absolutely LOVE the smell of this scrub and how it leaves my skin so soft and de-flaked without being harsh, although I wouldn't use it on my old skin more than once a week. It's messy (like the charcoal one) so best used in the shower, but it's a great product and a great price. No less than three clays plus red algae ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Yes ma'am ♥♥♥...
Nivea Q10 Power Anti-Wrinkle Replenishing Day Cream for 60+ Skin (50ml, RRP $23.99)
Trialled this for beautyheaven throughout the summer, I gave it 5 stars - my review is 4th from the bottom of the page HERE. Needs a light hand with the quantity or else there's a high probability of T-zone shine, but overall I loved it. So often the creams made for us oldies are way too rich for my skin and I end up with clogged pores, but not with this darling. The fragrance is fresh and delightful, and the price is surprisingly low, just wish it was 30+ SPF ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Sure will ♥♥♥...
Regulars
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up Remover (112ml, RRP $10.89)
Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence (40ml, RRP $39.99)
Face Masks
Kmart Raspberry Leaf Botanical Eye Mask (2 pairs, RRP $3)
My latest passion in the eye patch arena. These are as cheaps as chips, supremely comfortable, and surprisingly effective - they're the jelly type, almost invisible on the skin, and they slide down if you're standing up, but I wear them to bed. And at $1.50 a pop, I can afford them every night! These ones are for firming, and they also come in Red Ginseng for brightening, and Evening Primrose for hydrating ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Silly question lol ♥♥♥...
Regulars
Skin Republic Retinol Hydrogel Under Eye Patch (3 pairs, RRP $9.99)
Fragrance
Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely EDP (30ml, RRP $9.99)
Repurchase?
One of my faves, and the 30ml bottle is the perfect handbag size as well as being totally affordable - lovingly reviewed HERE ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Already have ♥♥♥...
Paco Rabanne Lady Million EDP (30ml, RRP $81)
The cutest little sample size, I forget how this came into my hands, but I'm glad it did as I sampled it years ago (when I was a different person ha ha) and didn't think much of it. Have definitely changed my mind about it, but maybe not quite enough to spend $80. Woodsy white flowers with a touch of orange and a base of patchouli. Quite the seductress, but I have caught a drift of it on quite a few gals, and that always puts me off a bit. Still, I might relent ♥♥♥...
Maybe ♥♥♥...
Regulars
Hair
Kérastase Paris Densifique Densimorphose Treatment Mousse (150ml, RRP $48)
My stylist recommended this for my new spikey haircut, which needs some lift and has a tendency to reveal my scalp in places (and consequently my white roots if I've been slack), so I needed something to create a bit more fullness, and this is it. It doesn't make my hair all goopy and really fluffs it out without adding to the frizz. It's my first ever Kérastase product, and I'm already on my second can ♥♥♥...
Repurchase?
Affirmative ♥♥♥...
Regulars
Salon Professional Supplies Creme Peroxide 5 vol (200ml, RRP $5.95)
Salon Professional Supplies Pro-Colour - Violet Toner (100ml, RRP $14.95)
Schwarzkopf Live Colour Pastels - Cool Grey (RRP $5.49)
Makeup
Regulars
Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder (RRP $16.95)
Eye of Horus Charcoal Obsidian Goddess Pencil (1.2g, RRP $30)
Maybelline Volume Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara (RRP $19.95)
Ok, so this month we have up for grabs...
- Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely EDP 30ml
- Nourished Life Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser 125ml
- Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Body Scrub
- Lacura Cherish Luxury Hand Cream with Peony Flower & Mandarin Oil Extract
- Peppermint Grove Patchouli & Bergamot Soy Candle 60g
- Colette Teardrop Diamante Stud Earring & Ring Set (Medium)
All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $65. The giveaway is open to...
Australian Residents Only!
Here's how to enter...
- Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
- Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
- Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
- Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter
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This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to find out who won!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Best of luck to all who enter!
This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to find out who won!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Ange L. as the winner.
Congratulations gorgeous!
Ange, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight
Wednesday 27th May to claim your prize :-)
Edit: Ange has claimed her prize ♥
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best of luck to all who enter!
Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx
The only thing thats changed for me beauty wise is im using less lipstick as thats the only product that I only apply when im heading out the door. Other then that its pretty much same old deal here. I always makeup my eyes no matter what. I do that for me and not for others :D
ReplyDeleteWell now funny you should mention that Fawn, I'm the same - always do my brows & eyes, maybe a slick of lippy first thing, but after that it's lip balm for the rest of the day!♥
DeleteActually, my beauty regime has changed for the better! With much less rush (even on school days - thanks reduced traffic!) I am more consistently and regularly buffing my feet, using body lotion, dying my hair, painting my nails AND managing to be super regular about my weekly hair and face masks. I'm going to be honest - absolutely loving it! (Typing this with long, shiny dark brown nails - normally I don't paint my nails dark colours if they're long as I think they look a bit like talons but as hardly anyone sees them - anything goes!)
ReplyDeleteOMG Alex sounds like you're having a ball, and certainly making the most of the change in pace! Good on you hon - and your nails sound fabulous. I always keep mine super short or else they interfere with my (already dodgy) keyboard skills ha ha, but I love looking at how other gals glam up their fingertips ♥
DeletePosting on behalf of Claire:
ReplyDeleteI really simplified my make up routine, just a bit of powder and lipstick and that was it. To be honest I loved how fast and simple my routine was. I didn’t really change my skin care routine, maybe pampered myself a bit more with masks because I was home more.
Sounds perfect Claire - my makeup time sure has gotten a whole lot shorter, cutting some corners with contouring & only 1 coat of mascara, seeing as I don't have to turn up to meetings for a while. I still haven't made time to get back into my sheet masking routine, but I've stocked up at some sales, so I reckon that's about to change lol ♥
DeleteI had to work from home for few weeks , so I didn't use any make up at all. I didn't change my skincare routine , instead I used more face masks , I went through my stash quite quick.
ReplyDeleteSounds great Raluca and an excellent opportunity to give your skin a treat - that's what I need to do, more face masks! ♥
DeleteI've been working from home since mid-March! I went from doing full-face makeup every work day to just basic morning skincare routine with no makeup. But maybe around early April I started to do winged eyeliner and eye makeup every day to practice. Still no foundation, but maybe some lipstick when I do grocery shopping :)
ReplyDeleteI've been working at home since then too stackcats. I didn't wear any makeup for the first week or so, and then got tired of looking like cr@p (lol), so now I do a simplified version - looks like I'll be back in the office from 2nd week of June so it'll be full on again ha ha ♥
DeleteMy beauty routine has become much more relaxed over the past couple of months. I've been working from home and wearing makeup less often. Although with the weather getting cooler I'm still using lovely skincare products to keep my skin nourished.
ReplyDeleteYou are wise Angela - my skin has sure benefited from a bit of a breather, but my hair has been rejoicing at me not colouring it every 2 weeks (I bought hats in 6 different hues lol) ♥
DeleteThanks for the beautiful prize pack Kats!
DeleteCongrats my dear - enjoy!
DeleteI haven't had to work from home nor would they want me to. Although hubbys paperwork always keeps me busy at home.
ReplyDeleteThe Liar Wrinkle Cheater Eye Roller Serum is right up my alley. I prefer rollerball applicators actually and the price is about right too.